Printer Friendly Version - Final Rule for 2024 Black Sea Bass Regulations

Black Sea bass have been a targeted topic of conversation since their numbers have substantially increased, and they have taken to coastal spawning in the bays of Long Island Sound. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Piet Masone of Ottawa, Ontario, CN (formerly of Madison) caught some nice Coho and Atlantic salmon, including this 16-pound Chinook, while fishing Lake Ontario, after which they were filleted, seasoned and awaited cooking. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Octogenarian Dr. John Conroy of Guilford is still going strong, as he wound down one of the most memorable blackfish seasons with this late November tog. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Currently, there are two stocks of Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata) that are managed along the Atlantic coast - New England/Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic stocks. The New England/Mid-Atlantic stock is the one we are most aligned with, and, according to the 2021 stock assessment, is not overfished and not subject to overfishing. Although both stocks have been assessed, the biology of this slow growing species is not well known, and data is lacking. As a result, stock assessments have a high degree of uncertainty.

Black sea bass are protogynous hermaphrodites, beginning life as females, and as they mature, most become males. It has been suggested that nature intervenes, because of the relative scarcity of males in a spawning group, which provides the stimulus for this phenomenon. Females can live up to eight years (males up to 12) and can produce 30,000 to 500,000 in one spawning season. They migrate to inshore coastal areas and bays in the spring to spawn and migrate offshore in the fall, following water temperatures. This structure-oriented species is a voracious predator, literally consuming whatever prey is available and causing much angst within the commercial fishing sector by depleting other fish stocks in the area.

Because of warming marine water temperatures, black sea bass have been shifting northward from the Mid-Atlantic to a more optimal habitat. That has created a noticeable increase in the black sea bass population, and one that has comfortably established itself. Today, Long Island Sound has a thriving population of these attractive and tasty (but seemingly over-populated) species.This begs the question, “Why are the marine fishing regulations not relaxed for this species?”

The answer is, simply put, because the overall stock has been shifting northward - not necessarily increasing in size. But to many, that argument does not hold water, since the stock assessments used have not been current, and the shear numbers of fish in our area dispute the argument. According to NOAA Fisheries and effective Jan. 1, since no updated stock assessment data was available for black sea bass this year, no changes to the Annual Catch Limit (ACL) and the Annual Catch Target (ACT) compared to 2023 were made.

However, due to updated dead-discard projections, the 2024 Recreational Harvest Limit (RHL) of 6.27 million pounds was approved, which, on the contrary, is a 5% decrease from 2023. An updated management track assessment for setting future specifications is anticipated to be available in 2024. Commercial management measures remain unchanged, as do seasons, bag and size limits for the recreational sector that will be considered later in 2024. It was with optimism that an increase in the recreational harvest of black sea bass would be enacted for the 2024 season, but unfortunately, this action will have to wait for another go-around with ASMFC and MAFMC to see how it shakes out for CT.

Winter Storm Ember, now in the rear-view mirror, blew through the northeast, only to have Winter Storm Finn approaching fast in the passing lane. High pressure briefly built over the waters before sliding offshore. A deepening low pressure disturbance tracked through the Midwest and into the Great Lakes, sending a strong frontal system through the area. Strong southeasterly 45-60 knot winds, extreme potentially record-breaking rainfall, drainage/runoff issues due to frozen grounds, and high tides with 4-6 foot seas came together to open the way for lowland flooding. This rain event yielded to another brief high pressure, before one more frontal system impacted the area to start off the weekend with more rain, thunderstorms and higher seas. Long Island Sound water temperatures hovered around 43-44 degrees.

One thing for certain is that the days are getting longer, as winter desperately tries to get a grip on the area. Vacillating temperatures and wobbly weather conditions create hurdles coming between anglers and fish - especially when deep fluctuations occur in barometric pressure. During these periods of uncertainty, forage compacts and slows down, creating a domino effect with predators within the food chain. They also affect feeding cycles, prolonging or speeding them up, depending on the rate of digestion.

Many rivers flowing into the Sound are fed by feeder waters. Since the heavy rains, many of these are at record high levels and rapid flows, and will continue at those rates before they will subside. These conditions have also been negatively impacting normally fruitful inland fishing locations, as well as the salinity, where those waters join the marine district. Subsequently, near ideal 50-degree days have put up roadblocks to anglers looking to wet a line - particularly in impacted salmon rivers.

Temporarily shifting gears from the rivers, streams and some trout parks to lakes and ponds is a smart move. True, lakes and ponds can feel the effects of runoff and increased flows of feeder streams, but not to the degree that rivers are directly affected by a concentrated infusion of drainage. Meanwhile, temperatures will react quicker, enabling anglers to fish various parts of those bodies of waters that are warmed from direct heat of the sun. Therefore, the bass, pickerel and northern pike bites, as well as the catfish and panfish ones, can be more promising.

Selecting the right bait or combination of naturals and artificials is key. The same holds true for fly selection, although this is the time of year for nymphs and streamers. With water temperatures tapping 43 degrees in the Sound, striped bass activity is still hanging on, as the key tidal rivers have been playing cat and mouse with recent high water levels and flows. Casting a swim bait, spoon or bucktail jig to pockets of calmer water, adjacent to faster and deeper sections, will generally yield better results. Using a 20-30 pound super braided line, and about a 2-3 foot leader, will produce longer casts and faster drops, getting down to the target zone more effectively.

Fly Fishing Clinic: Now accepting reservations for 2024. An outstanding opportunity for the experienced or intermediate fly fisher! Booking inland and marine fly fishing lessons with top flight, highly experienced instructors and guides. From trout, salmon, steelhead, and sea-run browns to striped bass, bonefish, permit and tarpon, etc., techniques learned and honed will improve your fishing. Gift certificates are also available.

Note: Email us pics of your catches to share with our USA and International fishing friends who frequent social media and keep up with the latest fishing news.

For all things fishy, including the latest gear, flies/fly fishing, rods/reels, clam/crabbing supplies, fishing trips, licenses/permits and much more, swing by the shop (203-245-8665), open seven days, located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time, from your Connecticut shoreline's full-service fishing outfitter and Authorized Penn Premium Dealer, where we don't make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better. Thanks to all for your offers of help during those recent high flooding tides. We survived and are in good shape.